The 3-Day Effect

The 3-Day Effect

By:
Florence Williams

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Summary

The 3-Day Effect is a look at the science behind why being in the wild for a minimum of three days can make us happier, healthier and more creative. Whether it’s rafting down Utah’s Green River, backpacking in Colorado wilderness or strolling through Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., scientists are finding that immersions in nature can reduce anxiety, enhance creativity and boost overall well-being.

Join science journalist Florence Williams in an immersive audio exploration of the mind and outdoors in six chapters following former Iraqi war veterans, sex trafficking survivors, and even a bookish nature hater journeying to the wild. Meet the innovative field researchers working to strengthen the science for a nature cure through real-time physiological, psychological and cognitive measures over three days outside.

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Critic reviews

"Williams and her team achieve a smart balance between the scientific and the personal, the result being an illuminating and engaging series that illustrates nature's capacity to sooth the soul." (Financial Times)

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We need more of this

Really engaging series working with different groups / individuals who've all had trauma of some kind (PTSD/sex trafficking/depression) and measuring the impact that nature has on their mental wellbeing. Very accessible research with a simple yet profound message that we should all be following.

Gave up before end. Case studies too predictable

Addresses the simple truth that we need contact with nature to live happy and balanced lives. Annoying background music to add to pathos. Doesn't reinforce anything but fills in for absence of substance.

I loved this

I really enjoyed this series and listened to them all in quick succession. Florence Williams takes us on a fascinating journey hearing how nature can positively impact upon people who need to rebalance or heal.

Very interesting

An interesting listen, many ideas and theories about the benefits of being in the great outdoors with scientific evidence and research to back up the claims. An easy listen and great ideas that I can apply to me own life. Glad I listen. Thank you

Nature is good for you

The premise of this podcast series is that it is good for you to spend time outside and if you spend three days outside then it is really good for you. Many people who either work in the open air or have been camping, already know this. And most other people will not be particularly surprised by this conclusion either. The series takes the form of a several groups of people eg ex-military who are feeling stressed and are taken to the Great Outdoors for a few days to go for walks and eat Pringles at the end of which the universal feedback is that they feel better about themselves and their lives. This is further proven by putting electrodes on them and making them wear helmets that monitor their brain activity and, yes, you've guessed it, the scientific evidence shows that their brain activity and their health has improved too. It gets a bit monotonous after the first couple of episodes and there is an inordinate amount of time spent re-capping on the previous show and previewing future shows which gets a bit irritating after a while. Even though it was free, I found this series to be annoying. Perhaps I should spend a bit more time outdoors.

Inspired my morning commute by 30min walk.

This audio tape helped me to come out of my comfort zone to make my work commute an enjoyable one next to the riverside. A 30 min morning and eve walk helped me to refresh my brain. It helped our relationship, after an argument if we can't get to a conclusion we do for a walk. When we come back we are both different people, not angry or upset. The issue just dissolves by itself. This should be applied in schools as a mandatory subject, to be out in nature 1 hr every week at least.